The mayor proudly informed TGcom24 website that over 100 people have fixed an appointment with the doctors.

“Our citizens’ response has been more than encouraging. It's a result that embraces the spirit of this initiative,” Zicchinella said.

The town’s administration also set up shuttle bus so that Sellia residence could get to a spa center some 100 kilometers away.

According to the decree, the citizens, who will visit the medical center, will be exempt from an annual health tax of €10.

The mayor’s office is working on introducing additional taxes for those, who refuse to take care of their health, in order to finance the municipal medical center.

"We want to provide health services to protect the health of our citizens, despite the difficult period for the local authorities … in this way, in addition to helping our fellow citizens, we also help reaching our common goal of not dying from depopulation,” Zicchinella said, as cited by AGI news agency.

According to National Institute of Statistics, Italy’s population growth is almost at zero, with 20 percent aged over 65.